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Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013). American pastor and founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, born in Ventura, California. After graduating from LIFE Bible College, he was ordained by the Foursquare Church and pastored several small congregations. In 1965, he took over a struggling church in Costa Mesa, California, renaming it Calvary Chapel, which grew from 25 members to a network of over 1,700 churches worldwide. Known for his accessible, verse-by-verse Bible teaching, Smith embraced the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s, ministering to hippies and fostering contemporary Christian music and informal worship. He authored numerous books, hosted the radio program "The Word for Today," and influenced modern evangelicalism with his emphasis on grace and simplicity. Married to Kay since 1947, they had four children. Smith died of lung cancer, leaving a lasting legacy through Calvary Chapel’s global reach and emphasis on biblical teaching
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Sermon Summary
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of turning to God as our refuge when we feel overwhelmed by life's pressures and stresses. He highlights that in moments of despair, we often seek help in the wrong places, leading to irreversible decisions. Smith encourages believers to cry out to God, asking Him to 'lead me to the rock that is higher than I,' which symbolizes strength, security, and life. He draws parallels from scripture, illustrating how God is our rock and source of sustenance. Ultimately, trusting in God as our rock empowers us to find strength and shelter in Him.
Psalms 61:2
"LEAD ME TO THE ROCK" I. "WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED." A. Life is filled with pressure and stress situations. 1. Sooner or later we come to the point where we are forced to cry: a. "I don't know which way to turn. b. or, "I can't go on." 2. Our heart becomes overwhelmed. a. That can be a day of greatest tragedy or greatest victory, it all depends on where we turn for help. 1. Some turn to bottle to escape. 2. Some make rash decisions. a. I try never to make a major decision when under emotional stress. b. So often they are wrong and irreversible. c. Marriage, divorce, buying and selling. d. We are familiar with the pressure tactics of salesmen. 3. David prayed, "Lead me to the rock." B. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a situation? 1. This is more than I can handle. ll. "LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I." A. The Lord has often in scripture been referred to as the rock. 1. Song of Moses, Deut. 32. 2. David speaks of Jehovah as his Rock. 3. Apostle Paul declares that the rock from which the water flowed in the wilderness was Christ. 4. Daniel speaks of the stone not cut with hands. B. The rock was a symbol of strength. 1. The conie is a feeble folk. C. The rock was a symbol of security. 1. There I shall be sheltered. D. From the rock there issued life sustaining forces. E. If I make the rock my shelter, I find now that I am as strong as the rock. F. David speaks of abiding there and of trusting. Rock symbol of God's ultimate triumph.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013). American pastor and founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, born in Ventura, California. After graduating from LIFE Bible College, he was ordained by the Foursquare Church and pastored several small congregations. In 1965, he took over a struggling church in Costa Mesa, California, renaming it Calvary Chapel, which grew from 25 members to a network of over 1,700 churches worldwide. Known for his accessible, verse-by-verse Bible teaching, Smith embraced the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s, ministering to hippies and fostering contemporary Christian music and informal worship. He authored numerous books, hosted the radio program "The Word for Today," and influenced modern evangelicalism with his emphasis on grace and simplicity. Married to Kay since 1947, they had four children. Smith died of lung cancer, leaving a lasting legacy through Calvary Chapel’s global reach and emphasis on biblical teaching